2008 Brownlow medalist Adam Cooney has stated that the Essendon should be making moves to bring Sam Weideman to the Hanger this off-season.
The former Bulldog and Bomber claimed after Friday night's final siren that Weideman, 24, would help fill the hole that coach Ben Rutten currently has inside forward 50.
Cooney, a first round draft selection himself, was of the opinion that Essendon should part ways with their first round draft pick this season if that is what was required to have Weideman wearing a red sash next season.
“I think they’ve got enough talent in the child department coming through. I’d trade the pick, because they’re a big key forward away from being a really strong, competitive finals team,” Cooney said on Channel Seven's post match program Armchair Experts.
“The midfield’s alright, that takes care of itself, (Jye) Caldwell comes back in, don’t forget he’ll be a better player next year, Shiel comes into this midfield. They’re OK down back.
“Key forward is the one - I’d trade, let’s say Pick 10, for Sam Weideman who’s ready to go and not getting an opportunity at Melbourne at the moment. He could be the one who takes over Essendon’s forward line and brings them to finals glory.”
At the time of writing, the Bombers currently hold pick 8 at this year's draft.
Weideman has laced the boots on just five occasions for Melbourne this year and is set to come out-of-contract at the end of the year.
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The Eastern Ranges product was originally taken at pick 9 of the 2015 draft, but has found it hard to lock down a consistent spot in Simon Goodwin's best-22.
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In other news at Essendon, journalist Jon Ralph reported on Friday night that the club is close to obtaining the signatures of in-form pair Darcy Parish and Jake Stringer.
Although Stringer has reportedly been seeking a hefty pay increase that would see him land around $3.2 million over four-seasons, Ralph was of the belief that this would be unlikely given the former Bulldogs' past struggles with inconsistency.
“Jake Stringer wanted megabucks, Darcy Parish just wanted a real crack at the midfield. Early on in this season there were some real doubts about whether those two players would re-sign, but they’re very close to re-signing,” Ralph said on Fox Footy on Friday night.
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“I’ve spoken to Essendon’s football boss Josh Mahoney who says their contract talks are going very smoothly, they’re going well, he expects they’ll sign off on new contracts in the near future.
“Essendon won’t say it but clearly Jake Stringer would have a contract that would have multiple incentives, both in terms of the length and the money as well. You wouldn’t think they’d give him four years at a guaranteed wage.”
The aforementioned duo put in another pair of stand-out shifts last night in the Bomber's 41-point loss to the Cats.
Stringer ended the night with 25-disposals and a goal, while Parish departed Kardinia Park with 43-touches - 28 of which were contested - 13 clearances, a silky snapped goal and the Tom Wills medal.
The Bombers will face Adelaide next Saturday at a time and venue that are yet to be determined.
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